Château Tour de Pez 2018

Good elegant structure with nice ripeness. Rich and concentrated, but sleek, with a lovely balance of cool blue fruit, crushed stones, chalky texture and freshness.

Aromas of blackcurrants, black olives, dried flowers, cloves and graphite with some mushroom undertones. It’s medium- to full-bodied with firm, tightly knit tannins. Savory, chewy finish. Try from 2023.

65% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc. Barrel sample. Purplish crimson. A little modest on the nose. Correct rather than thrilling. Lots of rather austere tannin and a slight lack of fruit. For traditionalists. (JR)

The 2018 Tour de Pez offers brambly red fruit, sage and light minty aromas on a nose that takes several swirls of the glass to come out of its shell. The palate is medium-bodied with light tannins for a Saint-Estèphe, but it is nicely focused with well-judged acidity and a cohesive, saline finish. Understated, but quite stylish.

Kunz barrel sample 19: peppery, medium-bodied, austere bouquet, blackberries, old wood, coal, smoke. Restrained, firm palate with sandy tannins, moderate aromatics, muscular, slender structure, light fruit, dry finish. Has room to improve.

Peppery, medium-bodied, austere bouquet, blackberries, old wood, coal, smoke. Restrained, firm palate with sandy tannins, medium aromatics, muscular, slender structure, light fruit, dry finish. Can still improve. 16/20 2024 - 2036

Medium to deep ruby red colour. Pure nose offering fresh herbs, red berries, sweet plum, tobacco and mild oak. Medium weight with a youthful texture, grippy tannin, fresh red berry flavours, sour cherry, cedar wood, tobacco flavours and a medium to long finish in a classic age worthy style.